PBG 3 Question Interview with Artist: Auburn with Liz Lenten "Behind The Scenes" Album
- Produced by a Girl™
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Hi! Produced by a Girl here, and we're absolutely honored and thrilled to spotlight Auburn with Liz Lenten’s latest album, "Behind The Scenes" in our interview series. This project is a true testament to the power of connection, born out of the global lockdown but bursting with creative energy and resilience. Liz brought together an incredible team of 32 writers, musicians, and producers from the U.S., U.K., and Brazil, weaving rootsy Americana, blues, and soulful acoustic pop into a tapestry of honest storytelling and organic sound. The focus track, “Perfect Imperfections,” is a standout embracing vulnerability, humor, and the magic of being loved for exactly who you are. With her rich Nashville history, international airplay, and a British Empire Medal in recognition of her impact on music and community, Liz continues to craft music that feels deeply human, warm, and purposeful.
1. Behind The Scenes feels like a beautiful invitation to reconnect after lockdown, and it really shines as a heartfelt love letter to the creative community. With 32 collaborators from the U.S., U.K., and Brazil, what was it like to open the door to so many voices? How did that incredible mix of energy and perspective shape the emotional landscape of the album?
The experience was incredibly rewarding. After lockdown, there was a real desire to reconnect—not just socially, but creatively. Opening the door to 32 collaborators across three countries meant bringing together different musical backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives, and that naturally enriched the album. Each person brought something unique, whether it was a musical idea, a lyric, a feeling, or simply a different way of seeing the world.
What I loved most was how those voices shaped the emotional depth of the record. The songs explore themes of love, vulnerability, longing, resilience, and connection, and having so many collaborators involved meant those themes could be viewed through multiple lenses. The album became less about just one person's (my) story and more about shared human experience. In many ways, that's what Behind The Scenes is about—the unseen connections between people and the emotions that unite us, regardless of where we come from.
2. You’ve spent over three decades living and breathing music as an artist, performer, manager, podcaster, and champion for indie creatives. Looking back on your journey, how has your sense of artistic freedom evolved since those first songs you wrote and performed at 16? What does it mean to you now?
When I was 16, artistic freedom probably meant simply having the courage to write songs and perform them. It was about self-expression and discovering my own voice. As I've grown older, that definition has expanded considerably.
Today, artistic freedom means allowing creativity to evolve without feeling constrained by expectations, genres, or commercial pressures. It's about staying curious, remaining open to collaboration, and giving yourself permission to keep growing. Over the years I've worn many hats within the music industry, and each role has taught me something different about creativity and communication.
What freedom means to me now is authenticity—the ability to create work that feels honest and meaningful, while embracing change and new ideas. I think that's one of the reasons Auburn has continued to evolve over the years. There's always room for exploration.
3. This album travels through rootsy Americana, soulful pop, and intimate storytelling, weaving together so many moods and textures. When you chose the title Behind The Scenes, what real-life moments were you most drawn to reveal in these songs? Were there quiet truths or hidden feelings you wanted to bring into the light—those things people carry but rarely share?
Absolutely. The title Behind The Scenes came from a fascination with what lies beneath the surface of people's lives. We often present polished versions of ourselves to the world, but there are always emotions, memories, fears, hopes, and private conversations happening out of sight.
Many of the songs explore those hidden spaces. Whether it's the vulnerability of wanting to be understood, the pain of betrayal, the comfort of memory, or the beauty of accepting imperfections in ourselves and others, the album looks at feelings that people don't always talk about openly. I wasn't interested in dramatic revelations so much as the quieter truths—the emotional undercurrents that shape our relationships and experiences every day.
If the album reveals anything, I hope it's the idea that we're all carrying more than we show, and that there's something comforting in recognising ourselves in each other's stories.
4. Bonus Question: What does Produced by a Girl mean to you personally?
Produced by a Girl represents visibility, opportunity, and community. Personally, it's about recognising and celebrating the contribution women make in every area of music—not just as performers, but as producers, engineers, songwriters, managers, and creative leaders.
Throughout my career I've seen how important encouragement and representation can be, particularly for independent artists and how much incredible talent exists behind the scenes, and how important it is to make sure those voices are recognised and celebrated.
Music production has traditionally been a male-dominated space, so initiatives like Produced by a Girl play an important role in highlighting the creativity, skill, and leadership that women bring to every part of the industry. It's not about exclusion—it's about creating balance, encouraging representation, and inspiring the next generation to see that these opportunities are open to them too.
On a personal level, it aligns with something I've always believed in: collaboration, community, and lifting others up. Some of the most rewarding moments in my career have come from helping connect people, supporting independent artists, and creating spaces where creativity can flourish. Produced by a Girl embodies those values, and I'm proud to be part of a project that celebrates them.
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Written by PBG Chief Editor: Mary Knoblock
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